Sylvester Stallone reunites with his iconic Rocky co-star Talia Shire in a dramatic new trailer for his upcoming Netflix documentary, Sly, out this week.
The acting icon, 76, who is best known for his role as underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in the Rocky and Creed film series, appeared on screen alongside Shire, 77, who played the boxer’s one true love, Adrian Balboa.
Shire was seen talking about her old co-star, saying, “Who is this man, Sylvester Stallone: artist, writer, poet, performer. How does that happen?’
Stallone entered the Hollywood scene in 1976 playing the eponymous Rocky Balboa, an Italian-American boxer from the streets of South Philadelphia. The Rocky films would gross nearly $2 billion at the box office.
Already a successful actress, Shire played Connie Corleone in The Godfather and its sequels, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Godfather Part II in 1974.
Hey, Adrian! Sylvester Stallone reunites with his iconic Rocky co-star Talia Shire in a dramatic new trailer for his upcoming Netflix documentary, Sly, out this week
True love: The acting icon, 76, who is best known for his role as underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in the Rocky and Creed film series, appeared on screen alongside Shire, 77, who played the boxer’s one true love, Adrian Balboa (pictured in 1990s Rocky V)
Rocky received nine Oscar nominations, including Best Actor and Actress awards for Stallone and Shire. He won three, including the coveted Best Picture. Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky.
Shire has also appeared in films such as Kiss the Bride (2002), I Heart Huckabees (2004) and Homo Erectus (2007).
The synopsis for the documentary, out on November 3, reads: ‘For nearly 50 years, Sylvester Stallone has entertained millions with iconic characters and blockbuster franchises, from Rocky to Rambo to The Expendables.
“This retrospective documentary offers an intimate look at the Oscar-nominated actor-writer-director-producer, paralleling his inspiring underdog story with the indelible characters he brought to life.”
In the trailer, Stallone also talks candidly about filmmaking and fame, while giving fans a glimpse into how he rose to the top of Hollywood with his back against the wall.
‘What is healthier? To live in the illusion and still have a glimmer of hope that you could have been great, or to blow it and realize you’re a failure,” he muses at the opening of the three-minute clip.
Sylvester reveals that he was on the verge of throwing in the towel as an actor before he began focusing on writing his own screenplays, including Rocky, which would earn him a nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1976.
Legendary: In the 1976 film, Rocky memorably screams “Adrian!” after proving his doubters wrong in his first fight against Apollo Creed
First film: Rocky received nine Oscar nominations, including Best Actor and Actress awards for Stallone and Shire. He won three, including the coveted Best Picture. Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky
Candid: In the trailer, Sylvester talks candidly about filmmaking and fame, as he gives fans a glimpse into how he rose to the top of Hollywood while often having his back against the wall
Throw in the towel: Sylvester also reveals that he was on the verge of throwing in the towel as an actor before he started focusing on writing his own screenplays, including Rocky
“The rejection was my encouragement at that moment,” Sly explains. “I knew my fate was decided on the pen.”
The iconic boxing film would also take home the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editing.
His Rocky co-star Talia Shire, who played his love interest Adrian, shows up in the documentary and talks about Sly.
“Who is this man Sylvester Stallone: artist, writer, poet, performer,” she poses. ‘How does that happen?’
Arnold Schwarzenegger also praises his fellow action movie star: “The genius behind that, this was no accident.”
Quentin Tarantino is also interviewed and reflects on the double-edged sword of Tinseltown when he explains, “When Stallone became famous, he didn’t expect the downside.”
The most poignant moment comes when Sly thinks about what he could have lost in the negative side of the movie business: his family.
“If you’re a really absorbed filmmaker, you present things to your family and the consequences are quite devastating,” he says.
Big guns: Arnold Schwarzenegger also praises his fellow action movie stars, saying: ‘The genius behind that, this was no accident’
The Downside of Fame: Quentin Tarantino Reflects on the Double-Edged Sword of Tinseltown as He Explains: ‘When Stallone Became Famous, He Didn’t Expect the Downside’
Almost quit: “The rejection was my encouragement at that moment,” Sly explains. ‘I knew my fate was decided on the pen’
“Now I realize that’s all that matters.”
Sly ends the trailer by saying, “I lost everything. Can I actually go back and start over? Not without family, without the love of a wife or children.’
The heartfelt admission comes after Sly and wife Jennifer Flavin – who share daughters Sophia, 27, Sistine, 25, and Scarlet, 21 – recently almost called it quits after 25 years of marriage.
Big win: Sly’s Rocky would also take home the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editing.
First Theater: Sly’s brother Frank says Rocky’s opening day could have been a disaster
Family Matter: The most poignant moment comes when Sly thinks about what he could have lost in the downside of the movie business: his family
Family first: The heartfelt confession comes after Sly and wife Jennifer Flavin – who share daughters Sophia, 27, Sistine, 25, and Scarlet, 21 – recently almost called it quits after 25 years of marriage
At the time of the couple’s reconciliation in September 2022, Sly reiterated his feelings in the documentary and narrated The Sunday times“There was a reawakening of what was more precious than anything else, which was my love for my family.
“It takes precedence over my work, and that was a hard lesson to learn.”
Sly debuts on Netflix on November 3.
